Belt Buckle

ABSTRACT

An accessory attachable to a waistband of a garment having an outer surface and an inner surface includes an ornament resembling a belt buckle having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface. The back surface is positionable against the outer surface of the garment at the waistband of the garment. A first attachment member is secured to the back surface of the ornament. The first attachment member is positioned against the waistband of the garment when the ornament is positioned against the outer surface of the garment. A second attachment member is detachable from the first attachment member and positionable against the inner surface of the garment opposite the first attachment member to interact with the first attachment member for securing the ornament to the waistband of the garment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a belt buckle.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, belt buckles are used to secure a belt around a garment such as a pair of pants to hold the garment in place on a body of a wearer. Conventional accessories that are attached at the waist typically use belts. However, some women's garments (e.g., pants, skirts, shorts, etc.) do not have belt loops for receiving a belt. So a belt offers limited functionality with garments of this type. Additionally, it may not be fashionable to use a belt with certain garments. But for those garments, it may still be desirable to secure a belt buckle or an accessory ornament resembling a belt buckle to the garment. Therefore, there exists a need for a belt buckle that is securable to a garment without the use of a belt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, an accessory attachable to a waistband of a garment having an outer surface and an inner surface generally comprises an ornament resembling a belt buckle having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface. The back surface is positionable against the outer surface of the garment at the waistband of the garment. A first attachment member is secured to the back surface of the ornament. The first attachment member is positioned against the waistband of the garment when the ornament is positioned against the outer surface of the garment. A second attachment member is detachable from the first attachment member and positionable against the inner surface of the garment opposite the first attachment member to interact with the first attachment member for securing the ornament to the waistband of the garment.

In another aspect, a method of securing an ornament resembling a belt buckle to a waistband of a garment having an outer surface and an inner surface generally comprises positioning a first attachment member secured to a back surface of the ornament against the outer surface of the garment at the waistband of the garment. And positioning a second attachment member detachable from the first attachment member against the inner surface of the garment opposite the first attachment member so that the second attachment member interacts with the first attachment member to secure the ornament to the waistband of the garment.

In yet another aspect, an accessory attachable to a waistband of a garment having an outer surface and an inner surface generally comprises an ornament resembling a belt buckle having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface, the back surface being positionable opposite the outer surface of the garment at the waistband of the garment. A clip is secured to the back surface of the ornament for securing the ornament to the waistband of the garment.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a first embodiment of a belt buckle of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a separated perspective of the belt buckle;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the belt buckle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the belt buckle attached to a pair of pants and having portions broken away to show detail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view of the belt buckle attached to a pair of pants;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of a second embodiment of a belt buckle of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the belt buckle of the second embodiment attached to a pair of pants and having portions broken away to show detail;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of a third embodiment of a belt buckle of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross section of the belt buckle of the third embodiment attached to a pair of pants;

FIG. 10 is a perspective of a fourth embodiment of a belt buckle of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective of the belt buckle of the fourth embodiment attached to a pair of pants and having portions broken away to show detail; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective of a fifth embodiment of a belt buckle of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a belt buckle is indicated generally at 11. The belt buckle 11 is configured for attachment to a garment 13 having an outer surface 15 and an inner surface 17 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The belt buckle 11 comprises a body 19 having a front surface 21 and a back surface 23. A first pair of attachment members 25A, 25B is secured to the back surface 23 of the body 19 generally at opposite ends of the body. The first pair of attachment members 25A, 25B may be secured to the body 19 by any suitable means. For instance, the attachment members 25A, 25B may be taped, glued or secured by hook and loop fasteners to the body 19 of the belt buckle 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the belt buckle 11 is a faux belt buckle. However, the belt buckle 11 could be a conventional belt buckle configured to secure a belt to a garment. As used herein, the terms “inner” and “outer” indicate relative positions of respective components and surfaces with respect to a wearer's body, and as such, an “inner” surface is more adjacent to the wearer's relevant body part than an “outer” surface.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a second pair of attachment members 27A, 27B is detachable from the body 19 and positionable at the inner surface 17 of the garment 13 opposite the first pair of attachment members 25A, 25B as will be explained in greater detail below. Although the illustrated embodiment shows two attachment members 25 secured to the body 19 and two detachable attachment members 27, a single attachment member 25 or more than two attachment members 25 may be secured to the body of the belt buckle 11 without departing from the scope of the invention. And, a single detachable attachment member 27 or more than two detachable attachment members 27 may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

When the second pair of attachment members 27A, 27B is positioned at the inner surface 17 of the garment 13 opposite the first pair of attachment members 25A, 25B, the second pair of attachment members interacts with the first pair of attachment members to secure the body 19 of the belt buckle 11 to the garment. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment members 25, 27 are bar magnets. Each magnet 25, 27 has a north and south pole. The magnets 25A, 25B are secured to the body 19 such that one of the poles faces away from the body. The body 19 of the belt buckle 11 is placed against the outer surface 15 of the garment 13 so that the magnets 25A, 25B contact or are in close proximity to the outer surface of the garment. A corresponding magnet 27A, 27B, is placed against the inner surface 17 of the garment 13 such that one of the poles of the magnet 27A, 27B is directly opposite the inner surface 17 of the garment 13. Magnet 27A can be aligned with magnet 25A, and magnet 27B can be aligned with magnet 25B. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, when opposing poles of corresponding magnets 25, 27 are placed directly opposite each other; magnetic attraction between the magnets attracts or biases the magnets toward each other. The magnetic attraction between the first pair of magnets 25A, 25B and the second pair of magnets 27A, 27B holds the body 19 of the belt buckle 11 in place on the garment 13.

In the illustrated embodiment, the magnets 25, 27 are circular. However, the magnets 25, 27 can have other shapes such as rectangular or triangular without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also understood that the attachment members 25, 27 may be formed from components other than magnets. For instance, the attachment members 25, 27 can be pins or buttons or they may have a snap-fit construction without departing from the scope of the invention.

In use, a user places the body 19 of the belt buckle 11 against the outer surface 15 of the garment 13 so that the first pair of attachment members 25A, 25B contact or are in close proximity to the outer surface of the garment. The user then places a first member of the second pair of attachment members 27A, 27B against the inner surface 17 of the garment 13 opposite one member of the first pair of attachment members 25A, 25B such that opposing poles of the attachment members face each other and are magnetically attracted to each other. Finally, a second member of the second pair of attachment members 27A, 27B is placed against the inner surface 17 of the garment 13 opposite the other of the first pair of attachment members 25A, 25B in the same manner as previously described. Friction and magnetic attraction between the attachment members 25, 27 hold the body 19 of the belt buckle 11 in place on the garment. In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 13 is a pair of pants. However, the garment may be any other suitable article of clothing generally secured around a waist of a wearer's body (e.g., shorts, skirt, etc.).

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a belt buckle of a second embodiment is indicated generally at 111. The belt buckle comprises a clip 125 secured to a back surface 123 of the buckle 111. The clip 125 extends generally vertically on the back surface 123 of the buckle 111. The clip 125 may be secured to the buckle 111 by any suitable means. For instance, the clip 125 may be taped, glued or secured by hook and loop fasteners to the belt buckle 111. The clip 125 may be formed with a living hinge 129 connecting clip members 130. In use, a user slides the clip 125 over a top edge of a waistband of a garment 113 to secure the buckle 111 to the garment. The hinge 129 creates a clamping force holding the belt buckle 111 to the garment 113. It is envisioned that a belt buckle 111′ could include a clip 125′ having a spring hinge 129′ connecting separate clip members 130′ (FIG. 12).

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a belt buckle of a third embodiment is indicated generally at 211. The belt buckle of the third embodiment is substantially the same as the belt buckle 111 of the second embodiment except the belt buckle 211 of the third embodiment includes magnets 227A, 227B on an inner surface 221 of clip 225. A first magnet 227A is attached to an inwardly facing surface 223 of the inner surface 221, and a second magnet 227B is attached to an outwardly facing surface 225 of the inner surface. The magnets 227A, 227B may be taped, glued or secured by hook and loop fasteners to the clip 225. The magnets 227A, 227B function substantially the same as the magnets 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B in the first embodiment.

In use, a user slides the clip 225 over the top edge of the waistband of garment 213 to secure the buckle 211 to the garment. As described above for the magnets 25A, 25B, 27A, 27B in the first embodiment, the magnets 227A, 227B provide an additional securing force to hold the buckle 211 in place on the garment. In particular, the first magnet 227A is configured for engaging an outer surface 215 of the garment 213 and the second magnet 227B is configured for engaging an inner surface 217 of the garment when the buckle 211 is secured to the waistband of the garment. Magnet 227A can be aligned with magnet 227B. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, when opposing poles of magnets 227A, 227B are placed directly opposite each other; magnetic attraction between the magnets attracts or biases the magnets toward each other. The magnetic attraction between the first magnet 227A and the second magnet 227B holds the belt buckle 211 in place on the garment 213. It is understood that more than two magnets can be used in the current embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a belt buckle of a fourth embodiment is indicated generally at 311. The belt buckle comprises a clip 325 secured to a back surface 323 of the buckle 311. The clip 325 is similar to the clip 125 of the second embodiment except the clip 325 extends generally horizontally on the back surface 323 of the buckle 311. The clip 325 may be secured to the buckle 311 by any suitable means. For instance, the clip 325 may be taped, glued or secured by hook and loop fasteners to the belt buckle 111. In use, a user slides the clip 325 over a vertically extending edge 326 of a waistband of a garment 313 to secure the buckle 111 to the garment. The clip 325 has a smaller width W than the clip 125 so that the clip 325 can slide between a button and zipper (not shown) of the garment 313.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An accessory attachable to a waistband of a garment having an outer surface and an inner surface, the accessory comprising: an ornament resembling a belt buckle having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface, the back surface being positionable against the outer surface of the garment at the waistband of the garment; a first attachment member secured to the back surface of the ornament, the first attachment member being positioned against the waistband of the garment when the ornament is positioned against the outer surface of the garment; and a second attachment member detachable from the first attachment member and positionable against the inner surface of the garment opposite the first attachment member to interact with the first attachment member for securing the ornament to the waistband of the garment.
 2. An accessory as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first attachment member comprises a first magnet and the second attachment member comprises a second magnet, and wherein polarities of facing surfaces of the first and second magnets are opposites to secure the ornament to the waistband of the garment.
 3. An accessory as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a third attachment member secured to the back surface of the ornament at a location spaced from the first attachment member, wherein when the ornament is positioned against the outer surface of the garment the third attachment member is positioned against the waistband of the garment.
 4. An accessory as set forth in claim 3 wherein the third attachment member comprises a third magnet.
 5. An accessory as set forth in claim 4 further comprising a forth magnet defining a fourth attachment member detachable from the third magnet and positionable against the inner surface of the garment opposite the third magnet to interact with the third magnet for securing the ornament to the waistband of the garment.
 6. An accessory as set forth in claim 5 wherein polarities of facing surfaces of the third and fourth magnets are opposites to secure the ornament to the waistband of the garment.
 7. An accessory as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ornament is one of a belt buckle or a faux belt buckle.
 8. An accessory as set forth in claim 1 in combination with the garment.
 9. An accessory as set forth in claim 8 wherein the garment is configured for securing around a waist of a wearer.
 10. An accessory as set forth in claim 1 wherein the back surface of the ornament defines an innermost surface of the ornament.
 11. A method of securing an ornament resembling a belt buckle to a waistband of a garment having an outer surface and an inner surface, the method comprising: positioning a first attachment member secured to a back surface of the ornament against the outer surface of the garment at the waistband of the garment; and positioning a second attachment member detachable from the first attachment member against the inner surface of the garment opposite the first attachment member so that the second attachment member interacts with the first attachment member to secure the ornament to the waistband of the garment.
 12. A method as set forth in claim 11 further comprising positioning a third attachment member secured to the back surface of the ornament and spaced away from the first attachment member against the outer surface of the garment against the waistband of the garment.
 13. A method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising positioning a fourth attachment member detachable from the third attachment member against the inner surface of the garment opposite the third attachment member so that the fourth attachment member interacts with the third attachment member to secure the ornament to the waistband of the garment.
 14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein the attachment members are magnets.
 15. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the garment is configured for securing around a waist of a wearer.
 16. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the ornament is one of a belt buckle or a faux belt buckle.
 17. An accessory attachable to a waistband of a garment having an outer surface and an inner surface, the accessory comprising: an ornament resembling a belt buckle having a front surface and a back surface opposite the front surface, the back surface being positionable opposite the outer surface of the garment at the waistband of the garment; and a clip secured to the back surface of the ornament for securing the ornament to the waistband of the garment.
 18. An accessory as set forth in claim 17 further comprising at least two magnets attached to an inner surface of the clip.
 19. An accessory as set forth in claim 18 wherein a first magnet is configured for engaging the outer surface of the garment and a second magnet is configured for engaging the inner surface of the garment when the ornament is secured to the waistband of the garment, and wherein polarities of facing surfaces of the first and second magnets are opposites to hold the ornament in place on the garment.
 20. An accessory as set forth in claim 17 wherein the clip includes a hinge connecting a pair of clip members. 